Welcome to the thread, the forum, and Tolkien Online. You can call me Axordil, your host and short-order chef for discussions.<BR><BR>I've been hanging out on these message boards for years now, and have seen people and trends coming and leaving like the tide. Change is a constant, one of only two here. The other is, for lack of a better word, civility. If you read the Terms of Service (ToS), you'll see that it's not just a good idea, it's the law, at least here.<BR><BR>Does that mean discussions here are dull and lifeless? Au contraire. In the places I tend to hang out--the Philosophy forum, aka the <a href='http://www.tolkienonline.com/thewhitecouncil/categories.cfm?NoCookie=Yes&catid=41' target=_blank>Halls of Manwe</a>, and the <a href='http://www.tolkienonline.com/thewhitecouncil/categories.cfm?catid=13' target=_blank>Movies (Lord of the Rings) forum </a>, things can get quite lively indeed, sometimes pushing the limits of the aforementioned ToS.<BR><BR>So if you're interested in an argument--this site is full of 'em. But they are _polite_ arguments, even when they get heated. And that's one of the reasons I like this place. I've been banging my head against some folks the whole time I've been here, and even though I may vehemently disagree with their opinions, I respect them as worthy opponents.<BR><BR>That's an attitude I think has a place here. And that's what this thread is all about--helping newer members of the community to see what makes a good, civil discussion both good and civil.<BR><BR>Questions? Ask away, preferably in this thread. That's what it's here for.<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>edited to update

Welcome Ax! We were so excited to get to work with you.<BR><BR>We need Adopters who know how to argue(civilly) <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0><img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

I've been hanging around these boardss for a little over a year now, and really wish I would have registered earlier than just last month! <BR>I came to read more from fellow Tolkien fans, I stayed and eventually registered because of the general civility from said fans. <BR><BR>Axordil, I have looked forward to seeing your post's in the past, and will continue to do so! You know how to argue without making it apparent to your..... "opponent"! A quality in which deserves respect! It's people like you that make this forum stand out from so many others!<BR><BR>OK, was that drippy-sweet enough for y'all <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> ??!!!

(bows) Thanks. And I didn't think it tasted treacly at all. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>Ent_wife, people like us are here because of what these boards are like, which owes a great deal to the people who founded them, the people who run them, and the people who monitor them. They set up the rules, and keep them alive and working. <BR><BR>I like it that way, and I'm glad to see you do too.<BR><BR>The way I see it, the first rule for discussing anything on a board like this in a civil manner is to recognize that there are rules, and that the people who run the site have a right to enforce them. One doesn't have to agree with them all the time, or believe that they are enforced perfectly. But one must acknowledge they are there, and rightfully so.<BR><BR>The second rule is to include a smiley in most of your posts. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

I would normally say it's never too late, but in your case I'll make an exception. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0><BR><BR>Which illustrates another rule: if you know the people involved in a discussion, you have more leeway in what you can get away with. If I didn't know meneltarma, I wouldn't be this sarcastic towards him, even with a smiley.<BR><BR>But I do, so I was. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

But...but...you argue like a guy! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0><BR><BR>Let this be an object lesson: one is always safer using the second person (example: I know _you_ well enough to be sarcastic with _you_, meneltarma). The exception would be when there might be some confusion between the usage of the second person in the general, impersonal, sense (example: "If _you_ want to make an omelette, _you_ have to break some eggs" is in no way an instruction for you, gentle reader, to go make an omelette) and the particular second person you're talking to. Case in point--generally it's a good idea to say something like "One who does X is a scum-sucking loser" as opposed to "You are a scum-sucking loser if you do X."

Can a Tigger get adopted? <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0><BR><BR>or are we too bouncy and such for you <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif"border=0><BR><BR>

I personally have no problem with bouncy. However, you may need to support your bounciness with reasons that others will grasp, if not agree with.<BR><BR>Unless of course it is simply part of your inherent being, in which case there is no need to explain or defend it. Or hope of doing so. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><BR>

<BR>Hi Axordil,<BR>I followed your link in your sig.... can anyone post in an adoption thread? Or do you have to be adopted? What exactly does adopted mean? Is it like adopting a kitten from the Humane Society? Will you be honor-bound to help your adoptees forever after?<BR><BR>Just because I posted here, doesn't mean I'm adopted, does it? <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0> <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Shhh. Don't tell anyone, but I don't mind people who have been hanging out for a while coming in. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0><BR><BR>Anyone is welcome to ask me questions about conducting an arguement, discussion, or competitive conversation, or to add helpful comments, or simply to post and say hi. <BR><BR>And you're not adopted unless you want to be. I don't mind foster children. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Either way, my aim is to make sure they _don't_ need my help, or anyone else's help, after they've been here. I want to produce posters who can stand on their own two feet and trade civil barbs with the best of them.<BR><BR>Come to think of it though, my cats tend to adopt me, rather than vice versa...<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0><BR><BR>

<BR>Actually, I did have a question in mind: How come I kill so many threads in philosophy? Probably 60-70% of the non-religious threads that I post to in there die either immediately or within one or two posts. Should I feel guilty about this? Or is it just the short-lived nature of the non-religious threads?<BR><BR><BR><BR>

The forum is like that. I've killed my share, perhaps more, over the years. Look at it this way--perhaps your arguments leave no more room for debate on the topic. I know I like to think that way when I kill a thread...<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>At some level it's more a question of whether enough of the regular posters want to talk about something at length. Sometimes topics engage people, sometimes not. And sometimes it's all a matter of timing and people's moods. I know that I have gotten to the point where I pick my fights--I let threads slide now that I would have gotten hip-deep in two years ago. <BR>

Re: thread killing<BR><BR>Hey, I think it's more a matter of getting in on the beginning of those types of conversations! Like with the "What is Fantasy?" thread. I got in on almost the beginning, everyone said what they wanted to, and it was pretty much done. And the last person who just came on and posted probably feels like they killed the thread, because no one bothers to respond, because it's all been said already.<BR><BR>What do you think?<BR><BR>

To some extent, I think you're right. Threads move slowly down the page in Philosophy, much slower than in say, Talk, so there is plenty of opportunity to post in any given thread. Anyone who cruises through has ample time--it's a question of interest.<BR><BR>I do find myself occasionally wandering down to a topic that has drifted away from the top,though. Sometimes it takes a while for an issue or question to interest me--again, a matter of mood as much as anything else.

<BR>I know what you mean. I don't 'cruise' philosophy every day.<BR>Sometimes it's a matter of mood, sometimes it's a lack of time.<BR>But when I do go looking, sometimes I'll go back through several weeks worth of topics, just to make sure I didn't miss something interesting. <BR><BR>

LOL <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> But.. it's a house with my name on ... I like it <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> ta v. much <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0><BR><BR>LOL is ok - I'll stop messing the place up now <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0><BR><BR>

Colourful is good...<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>(Hello Hash)<BR><BR>I've been away from this place for a few weeks,I think I need to be re-initiated into the forums.Do I need to be adopted?<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>